Review of Ongoing Debates and Research Associated with Energy Transition Policy in Korea

Abstract

The transition to cleaner energy usage is accelerating worldwide in an effort to combat the climate crisis. In Korea, there is a social consensus regarding the cause and direction of energy transition represented by an increase in the utilization of renewable energy, improvement in energy efficiency, and decentralization of control. However, no social consensus has been reached for the means and methods of implementing energy transition policies, nor the pace at which they would take effect. In fact, several issues have been subject to heated political debates. In this study, the major issues associated with Korean energy transition policies were examined in terms of the intensity, pace, and cost of energy transition and its impact on the national economy. In particular, the key points of different claims were examined through an in-depth review of the literature on each topic and quantitative data analyses. Based on this study’s findings, topics are proposed which can help facilitate furthering debates over Korean energy transition policies.